PO‘IPU — The Kaua‘i Marathon champion Tyler McCandless of Colorado set a new course record in the 13.1-mile half marathon, Sunday when The Kaua‘i Marathon presented the 13th running of the marathon and half marathon on Kaua‘i’s south shore.
Running in a field that topped 2,200 runners — 1,453 running in the half marathon, McCandless had earlier predicted his run that stopped the clocks at 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 10 seconds, or a 5:03 pace.
“It was very nice,” McCandless said after the realization of the new course record set in. “The weather was cool with sprinkles.”
Hot on McCandless’ heels, the first Kaua‘i finisher was claimed by Kaua‘i High School senior Brennen Corregedore who finished fourth overall on a run of 1:23:56 at a 6:24 pace. The Red Raider senior was just over 30 seconds back of third place overall finisher, Gordon Vaught.
Tiffany McHowell of Honolulu, crossing 12th overall, was the first female finisher in the half marathon, clocking a 1:32:30 race. Carolyn Price, a graduate of Island School, was the first Kaua‘i female finisher in the half marathon.
Pedro Paulino Pais Abreu of California broke the three-hour mark for the 26.2-mile course that wound through the back roads of Lawai and Kalaheo. He stopped the clock at 2:59:58 to claim top finisher honor.
“The course was really challenging with the changing weather and elevation, but so gorgeous and fun,” Abreu told organizers following his run. “There were even a few rainbows.”
Reilly Whittaker of Calgary, Canada was the first female finisher in the full marathon, stopping the clock fifth overall on a 3:16:55 run.
Kaua‘i’s top finishers were James Lloyd and Jaylieen Cesneros for the Full Marathon.
“The sunrise was perfect for the return of the in-person Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon,” states a press release from The Kaua‘i Marathon. “A record number 2,282 participants registered for the 13th annual event. The runners represented 42 states and 15 countries. The Aloha State was well-represented with 996 local Hawai‘i registrants with Kaua‘i having 698 runners participating. Additionally, there were 42 participants who ran the full, or half marathon for the 13th straight year.”
Additionally, more than $7,000 was donated to a number of local nonprofit groups that volunteered for Race Day activities, including the Kaua‘i High School Cross Country, Waimea High School Project Grad, and the Koloa Early School.
The Kaua‘i Marathon is presented through the sponsorships of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, the Koloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipu, the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Kaua‘i Coffee, Wilcox Health, Alaska Airlines and results provided by Capital Road Race Management.
